Jamaica to Host Meeting of Latin American and Caribbean Ozone Officers

September 26, 2013

Regional experts charged with overseeing the phase out of ozone depleting substances will converge in Kingston next week for the Main Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Ozone Officers Network.

The conference is being organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica through the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

Minister of Water, Land Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Robert Pickersgill will deliver opening remarks at the meeting which is to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus October 1 - 4.

The aim of the forum is to strengthen the ability of National Ozone Officers to implement the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in their respective countries.

In 2009 the Montreal Protocol became the first treaty in history to achieve universal ratification with 196 Governments (Parties), including Jamaica. As a consequence, it can now be said that the entire global community has legally committed itself to meeting specific, time-bound targets for the phase-out of nearly 100 ozone depleting substances. In addition to protecting the ozone layer, the Montreal Protocol also safeguards the global climate by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), found in some air conditioning units, are examples of ozone depleting substances currently being phased out.

The Ozone Unit housed at NEPA is leading Jamaica’s HCFC phase out program. The initiative began 1 January 2013 and is slated to conclude in 2040.

In addition to National Ozone Officers, key regional and international partners, United Nations Agencies, and the Ozone Secretariat of the Montreal Protocol will attend the conference.